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The Three Ravens

Introduction

A deeply touching story which takes place over one day, a poignant moment in it marked by the bell for Evensong. Edward Chapman (1902–1981) held a number of distinguished posts including Musical Director of the Highgate Choral Society. John Rutter and John Tavener were contemporary students of his at Highgate School. This masterly arrangement is scored for SATB (with division) and baritone solo, and uses an effectively broad harmonic palette for such a simple melody.

Details

There were three rav’ns sat on a tree Down a down, hey down, hey down, There were three rav’ns sat on a tree, With a down, There were three rav’ns sat on a tree, They were as black as they might be. With a down derry, derry, derry down, down.

Then one of them said to his mate, ‘O, where shall we our breakfast take?’ Down, down in yonder green field, There lies a knight slain ’neath his shield.

His hounds they lie down at his feet, So well do they their master keep, His hawks they fly so eagerly There’s no fowl that dare him come nigh.

Down there comes a fallow doe, As great with young as she might go. She lifted up his bloody head, And kissed his wounds that were so red.

She got him up upon her back, And carried him to earthen lake. She buried him before the prime, She was dead herself ere evensong time.

There were three rav’ns sat on a tree Down a down, hey down, hey down, There were three rav’ns sat on a tree, With a down, There were three rav’ns sat on a tree, They were as black as they might be. With a down derry, derry, derry down, down.

Then one of them said to his mate, ‘O, where shall we our breakfast take?’ Down, down in yonder green field, There lies a knight slain ’neath his shield.

His hounds they lie down at his feet, So well do they their master keep, His hawks they fly so eagerly There’s no fowl that dare him come nigh.

Down there comes a fallow doe, As great with young as she might go. She lifted up his bloody head, And kissed his wounds that were so red.

She got him up upon her back, And carried him to earthen lake. She buried him before the prime, She was dead herself ere evensong time.